"Origin of COVID-19 Most Likely Linked to Wuhan Mayor, Study by Multinational Team Including Korean, US, and UK Scholars"

International Journal 'Science' Publication
"Market Workers Initially Infected, Then Spread to Surroundings"

A police cordon is set up in front of the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] A study involving multinational scholars has been published, indicating that the global COVID-19 pandemic most likely originated from wild animals traded in a local market in Wuhan, China.

On the 26th (local time), the US CNN broadcast cited research published in the international academic journal 'Science,' reporting that the epicenter of the coronavirus was most likely the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, China.

The research team, composed of scholars from the US?including Arizona State University, the Scripps Research Institute, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)?as well as the UK, Korea, and Singapore, stated, "Although the exact circumstances are unclear, the virus was likely detected in animals sold at the Wuhan market at the end of 2019."

One report from the research team spatially and environmentally analyzed cases of the first COVID-19 infections using mapping tools and social media data. As a result, among 41 patients hospitalized with unknown pneumonia symptoms by January 2, 2020, 27 (66%) were directly linked to the Huanan seafood market.

Regarding patients infected without direct links to the Huanan seafood market, the research team noted that these individuals lived or worked near the market, stating, "This suggests that market workers were initially infected and then spread the virus to the surrounding area."

On February 3, 2021, a security guard is restraining reporters near the Wuhan Virus Research Institute. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the research team did not specify which particular 'animal' was the origin of the virus.

The team also analyzed that the early versions of COVID-19 likely began as virus types classified by scientists as 'A' and 'B,' and probably emerged after at least two cross-species transmissions.

They emphasized that to reduce the possibility of future pandemics, researchers must identify exactly which animals were infected and how.

Joel Wertheim, associate professor at the University of California School of Medicine and co-author, stressed, "The COVID-19 virus still lurks in the wild," adding, "We need to monitor potential threats to both animal and human health."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.